The Art Of War
War is the focused use of coercive energy in extreme conflict. Modern Euro-American thinking about war converges strategy with politics in Aristotle's "instrumental distinction between ends and means. War is seen as an instrument for obtaining a specific end, usually one that is political."
China's strategic civilization has regarded war as an undeniable, unpredictable evil that disturbs universal harmony. When war occurs, rulers must manage it carefully. WhileEuropean strategists have sought to use utmost force in decisive battle, Chinese commanders have wantedvictory through minimum force.
Chinese strategic culture has consistently abandoned"the Western way of warfare, with [its] obsession with successful campaigns and engagements, many of them hollow, or ensuring tactical success often at the outlay of strategic ruin."
Recognizing rationality as dominant in human affairs, Euro-American military philosophers esteem the human talent to control their warlike passions and use war for political ends. War's horrors when passions overcome rationality are less war's nature than people's failures in managing war. In contrast, Asian philosophical traditions doubt the power of instrumental rationality to control human behaviors. China's strategic culture commands rulers and generals to use only the force that is crucial toReinstatedomestic order and universal harmony—to control specialized means within explicit ends. Facing periodic military crises along China's long land borders and coastlines, China's many neighbors have unsurprising concerns about Beijing's approaches to using force in managing disputes with them.
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The Author is interested in The Art Of War, strategy, martial arts, meditation, etc. and is a teacher of these subjects.
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